HOW TO GET THERE
The call of Alaskan has lured many with its arctic siren song. Ever since the 1890's, Alaska travelers have come to see glaciers, wildlife and wilderness beyond belief. Back then,
vacationers boarded steam ships in Seattle to navigate the inside passage on a cruise North to Alaska. Once they arrived
safely on Alaska's shore, they set out in all manner of transportation modes to explore Alaska's interior in search of
Alaska's greatest treasures.
Cruising to Alaska
Today, things have not changed all that much. Still, the best way for most people to experience Alaska is via a Gulf of
Alaska cruise and land tour combination. However, cruising has come a long way since the pioneer days!
Gulf of Alaska cruises depart Vancouver B.C. and ply Alaska's inside passage, visiting the port towns along the panhandle
of Alaska. Only Princess features Glacier Bay on every voyage and cruising is the only way to experience Alaska's glacier
carved fjords and monumental rivers of ice up close. There are no roads leading to Glacier Bay National Park.
The cruise continues north across the Gulf of Alaska into the glacially carved College Fjord where sixteen great
tidewater glaciers are named in honor of some of the nations greatest colleges. Nothing compares to the sight of a
monumental glacier calving icebergs as big as houses into the sea. The cruise concludes in the tiny coastal town of
Whittier where passengers disembark the ship.
Discovering Alaska by sea is just one half of the adventure. Beyond the reach of cruise ships is a wilderness that is too
stunning to be ignored. Your vacation does not have to end with a cruise. Land tours of four to nine days can be seamlessly
added to a cruise and allow travelers to travel direct to Denali National Park and Mt. McKinley. The heart of Alaska boasts
the tallest peaks, the largest National Parks in North America - plus grand lodges built by Princess to showcase this scenic
wonderland.
For more information on cruises and cruisetours, visit www.princess.com.
Flying into Alaska
Another popular Alaska vacation option is to fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks. All of the major towns and cities are only 3 to 4
hours by jet from Seattle. During the peak summer months, several major airlines serve Alaska. Alaska Airlines handles
most of the jet travel within the state.
Once you are in Alaska, you will find that most of the destinations and smaller communities are served by local air services
or charter airlines ranging from turbo prop planes to seaplanes.
Most visitors fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks, the states largest cities. Either location is a great place to start an Alaskan vacation.
Ferry System
Operated by the State of Alaska, the ferry system services 3,500 miles of Alaska's coastline, year round. Alaska Marine
Highway system begins in Bellingham, WA and travels the fabled inside passage visiting many of the colorful coastal towns
along the way. Traveling aboard the ferry allows a visitor to experience the coast, up close and personal. You can also bring your vehicle on the ferry. There are lounges, food service facilities and
observation areas.
Vehicle and cabin reservations are essential for confirmed space. You must plan your own stop over ports before making
your original reservations. Visit the Alaska Marine Highway web site for rates, schedules and information.
Drive the Alaska Highway
The classic way to travel to Alaska is on the fabled Trail of '48- the Alaska Highway. This 1520-mile road trip takes
you from lower British Columbia Canada into the heart of Alaska's interior. Officially, the highway ends in Big Delta
Junction, about 100 miles south of Fairbanks. Nevertheless, travelers can continue on the Richardson Highway in to
Fairbanks.
The highway is in much better condition than the old days. The journey can be made safely and comfortably and there
are plenty of services along the way. The advantage of highway travel is the freedom to determine your own itinerary and
to linger in places you want to see more. The disadvantage is the length and cost of the trip. Gas prices are expensive
in the north and the distances are immense. From the lower 48, it is over 2000 miles to Fairbanks.
Train
There is no rail line connecting the lower 48 to Alaska. However, once in Alaska, the Alaska Railroad is a wonderful
option for moving about the state. Princess offers a variety of Alaska rail tour options originating in Fairbanks and Anchorage.
The advantage of rail travel includes convenience, the ability to enjoy scenery without worry, the adventure of rail
travel and the ability to package rail travel with overnight accommodations.
The Princess domed rail cars follow the historic route of the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Fairbanks, through
the Denali area. Together, the Princess rail experience and Princess Alaska Lodges make the perfect Alaska vacation
package for independent travelers. Any combination of rail legs and lodge overnights can be packaged into a perfect
Denali rail tour.
Conclusion
Alaska is a land of epic proportions so vast and rich with opportunity that planning a vacation can be overwhelming.
Vacationers to Alaska have a wide variety of options to choose from. Alaska's scale is so large that it poses a challenge -
how do you see it all?
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